Stations of the Cross bronze casts 04-05-17 in Christ Church Midland. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Stations of the Cross bronze casts 04-05-17 in Christ Church Midland. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Christ Church welcomes artist Stan Jacobs’ 'Stations of the Cross’ for Easter

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As a series both artistic and religious, the Stations of the Cross are a dramatic and poignant depiction of Jesus Christ on the day of crucifixion. Viewers see Jesus, Mary and Simon of Cyrene endure the Passion across 14 separate pieces. But Stan Jacobs opted to tell the story in a different, even simpler way. His interpretation would also heighten the message’s effect.

“I based it on human hands. They are the great unifying factor here,” he said. “To me, it was more expressive to emphasize that.”

In his 14 stations, Jacobs sculpted closeups of hands that draw in the viewer more and provoke contemplation.

The bronze sculptures were hung recently at Christ Church Anglican in time for Holy Week, which begins today, as well as in perpetual display at the church.

“God has inspired sculptor Stan Jacobs to create a striking set of Stations of the Cross for the people of Christ Church,” Rev. Henry L. Pendergrass said in the exhibit’s accompanying catalog.

For more than two years, Pendergrass had the idea of the church displaying the Stations. After discussions between Pendergrass and Jacobs, the artist began work on the 14 pieces in August 2016.

In the catalog, he mentioned how the idea of focusing on the hands came to be.

Jacobs explained: “When we pray (for) comfort and healing for others, what do we do? We lay our hands on them. The reassuring touch of our hands connects us with one another. Perhaps second only to the face, hands express deep care and love, physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

He began with sketches that led to using hand models for his reliefs. Jacobs had his wife, Carole, model, as well as friends and even staff from the church. His work routine was relegated to two to three hours a day, three days a week. He occassionally would work weekends. In total, though, each piece took about 10 hours to complete. Despite cuts and calloused fingers, he pushed to have them done by December.

“When I’m in the zone, I was rolling,” he said.

But there was still the day-to-day.

When he wasn’t at work on the Stations, Jacobs was likely found at Midland College teaching art history. He describes himself as semi-retired, although he likes to keep busy, and he also teaches at the Kids College summer program at MC. He’ll always keep a sketch pad handy for his caricature work, as well.

While he and Pendergrass agreed to have Jacobs use his interpretation, the artist would donate his time and work to the church.

He also spends time volunteering at area agencies such as Casa de Amigos and is a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

But he was also on a time frame.

Using the Shidoni Foundry in New Mexico, his clay reliefs became molds for the bronze stations that are 9 inches by 12 inches each in size.

The pieces made their way back to Christ Church in mid-March.

“It all worked out that they got here in time,” Jacobs said.

As an artist, Jacobs’ work on the Stations were fulfilling for his creative sense, but they also had a profound experience on him. Since August, he kept a journal of the experience that detailed not only the particulars of completing his work, but also the emotional side to it all.

“I usually keep one but hadn’t thought about it for this. I discovered that this project deepened my relationship with Christ. This provided such a spiritual experience for me,” he said.

The feedback he’s received has also been rewarding.

“I’ve been flabbergasted. Some people seem to be truly moved by them,” he said. “I would have done this anyway, but to have such a loving response from them was a great feeling.”

Jacobs also encourages viewers to touch the Stations, which is apropos given his focus to the hands.

The dedication of the pieces were announced at last Sunday’s services. The pieces will be part of the church’s interior but will ultimately become the centerpiece of the courtyard when the church expands.